Colorectal cancer patients have been experiencing various side effects related to the therapies, both physically and physiologically. Complementary medicine was used to help patients alleviate complaints and increase their quality of life. This systematic review aimed to sort out complementary medicines that could be advised to be used for colorectal cancer patients. Search limitations include the population of colorectal cancer patients, published between 2015 and 2021 and written in English. We found that traditional Chinese medicine, aromatherapy massage, acupuncture, and mindfulness-based stress reduction tests were beneficial in improving patients’ physical and physiological complaints. However, dosing and herb-herb interactions in Chinese traditional medicine and the beneficial persistency effect of other modalities needed further investigation, especially in colorectal cancer patient therapy. Complementary modalities are generally safe; however, some therapies still warrant further investigation to confirm safety and beneficial consistency.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection status in Indonesia might be higher than the actual prevalence. A comprehensive epidemiologic study is necessary to explore infection susceptibility by demographic characteristics, especially between Indonesia’s Eastern and Western regions. Methods: We included our recent survey and data from our previous studies with 1,172 endoscopic examinations from 19 cities throughout Indonesia from January 2014 to March 2017. H. pylori infection was diagnosed based on the combination of four different tests. Using a criterion of one positive result between four tests, we found that 190 subjects (190/1,158; 16.4%) were H. pylori positive. A total of 939 subjects were analyzed for risk factors of sociodemographic characteristics to H. pylori infection. Results: Prevalence was slightly higher in the Eastern region compared with the Western region of Indonesia (79/277; 59.4% vs. 54/529; 40.6%). Living in the Eastern region imposes a higher risk of infection (OR 5.33, 95%CI 1.17–24.26). Timor ethnicity had the highest prevalence (15/28; 53.6%), followed by Buginese ethnic (21/74; 28.4%), and Papuan ethnic (18/64; 28.1%) in the Eastern region. As an ethnicity with a high prevalence (37/109; 33.9%), Batak was an outlier among the low prevalence areas in the Western region. In general, age, living in the Eastern region, Batak ethnicity, Protestant, Catholic, and alcohol drinking were independent risk factors associated with H. pylori infection in Indonesia (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.02–1.05; OR 5.33, 95%CI 1.17–24.26; OR 5.89, 95%CI 1.58–21.94; OR 5.47, 95%CI 2.16–13.86; OR 5.05, 95%CI 1.43–17.80; OR 2.30, 95%CI 1.14–4.61, respectively). Conclusions: Several ethnicities and habits were concluded to increase the risk of infection as the interaction of host, agent, and environment is inseparable in affecting disease susceptibility.

Dyspepsia still becomes a major challenge in upper gastrointestinal disease in Indonesia. This disease often correlated with Helicobacter pylori infection. However, the prevalence of this bacterium is generally low in Indonesia. Therefore, several considerations should be taken into consideration during the management of dyspepsia and H. pylori infection. “Management of dyspepsia and H. pylori infection in Indonesia: The Indonesian consensus report” comprises information gathered from 22 gastroenterology centers across Indonesia. The experts gathered to evolve a consensus, that consists of the statements, grades of recommendations, evidence levels, and rationales for the dyspepsia and H. pylori infection management for daily clinical practice. The report explains several aspects from the updated epidemiology information to comprehensive management therapy. After the experts worked together on all statements in the recommendations, the results are presented with the final agreement as a consensus to help clinicians in understanding, diagnosing, and treating dyspepsia and H. pylori infection patients in daily clinical practice in Indonesia.